ACNI Welcome

Festivals by their very nature are innovative, dynamic events, both capturing and creating a process of change.

As the principal investor of Belfast International Arts Festival, we welcome its 2025 edition, which brings us another versatile celebration of regional, national and international artistic talent.

This is an eclectic programme which showcases significant all-island working with Dancehall by Luail, Ireland’s national dance company, as well as an exciting fusion of Irish Traditional and classical music in Bád on Alltár by Michael Gallen and the Ulster Orchestra.

As ever, the festival also offers an array of international and intercultural collaborations. Music and Movement of Displacement and Belonging, a contemporary, unique, multi-disciplinary piece from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Iran is particularly pertinent, exploring themes of defending artistic freedom and enabling societal change.

While change is being illustrated on stage, there is change off-stage too. 2025 marks the final programme from the festival’s Artistic Director Richard Wakely. We are grateful for Richard’s advocacy for, and commitment to, promoting Northern Irish artists and work to international level, as well as importing a broad range of international Arts practice to NI audiences over the years.

We wish Richard well in whatever he chooses to do next and look forward to the next chapter of what the festival can contribute to an ever-evolving cultural landscape in Northern Ireland.

Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland